Mobile phones, developing nations, an amazing solution! (Article by Shane)

[Shane M. Coughlan]

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Andreas K. Foerster wrote:
>> Furthermore, it could be in Java, allowing everything to be 
>> totally cross-platform. 
> [...]
>> If you think about it, this model could work effectively with Free
>> Software.
> 
> What now? Java or Free Software?
> Okay, there are free software implementations of Java already, but you 
> still have to be very careful to avoid the "vendor lock in".

This is a valid point, but the Free Software versions of Java are
working pretty well.  I'm not sure that the danger of vendor lock-in is
really that high.  I am in agreement that serious work needs to be done
to to get Java away from vendor specific systems.  That work is
thankfully well advanced.  I believe we're in a very positive place
regarding Java these days.

The main thing IMHO is that all modern phones support Java.  While PC
platforms allow more choice of languages and development, mobile phones
are still relatively closed environments.  The de-facto standard of Java
is not going away anytime soon, and I was not advocating a complete
redesign of mobile phones - just extensions to existing technology.  We
need to start building the freedom somewhere, and a Free, open
application set would be a significant start.

Shane

- --
Shane Martin Coughlan
e: shane at shaneland.co.uk
m: +447773180107
w: www.shaneland.co.uk
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Projects:
http://mobility.opendawn.com	http://gem.opendawn.com
http://enigmail.mozdev.org	http://www.winpt.org
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Organisations:
http://www.fsfeurope.org	http://www.fsf.org
http://www.labour.org.uk	http://www.opensourceacademy.gov.uk
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OpenPGP: http://www.shaneland.co.uk/personalpages/shane/files/publickey.asc
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